The Bucs have signed inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom, per his agents from One West Sports Group, Chris Gittings and Jeremiah Sirles. Tampa Bay still needed more at inside linebacker with only three currently on the roster, and also they poach a player within their own division in the NFC South.

Rozeboom is a six-year NFL veteran who played with the Carolina Panthers last season, starting in 15 games for them. He is also a former Super Bowl champion, winning a title with the Rams in the 2021 season.

Bucs Find An ILB With Starting Experience 

Christian Rozeboom arrives in Tampa Bay as a former undrafted player who has steadily carved out a role for himself through persistence, special teams value, and defensive development.

Rozeboom originally entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits football program, where he was an extremely productive player at the FCS level. During his college career, he piled up eye-popping tackle numbers and earned multiple All-American honors, establishing himself as one of the most decorated defenders in school history.

During his collegiate career he recorded 475 tackles with 29 tackles for loss, six sacks, eight forced fumbles, and eight interceptions. He was the Missouri Valley Football Conference rookie of the year and is a four time first team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honoree.

Despite that production, Rozeboom went undrafted in 2020 and signed with the Los Angeles Rams to their practice squad. The next season he spent half the year with the Chiefs, but was let go in October and then signed back with the Rams where he helped win a Super Bowl. Early in his career, he primarily contributed on special teams while working to develop defensively behind a veteran linebacker group.

Bucs ILB Christian Rozeboom – Photo by: Joseph Rondone – IMAGN Images

Over time, Rozeboom earned more opportunities on defense, showcasing instincts, physicality, and a willingness to play downhill. He’s known as a high-effort player who diagnoses plays quickly and isn’t afraid to take on contact in the run game. While he may not possess elite sideline-to-sideline speed, he makes up for it with toughness and awareness.

He started five games and played in 17 games in the 2023 season at inside linebacker and really had his big break the following season, starting in 11 games and playing in all 17. He made 135 tackles and recorded his first career interception and first career sack.

Last season Rozeboom signed with the Carolina Panthers and played against Tampa Bay twice. He continued to prove that he’s a high-volume tackler, starting and playing in 15 games and recording 122 tackles. He also recorded the first forced fumble of his career along with a fumble recovery.

Bucs ILB Christian Rozeboom – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Nathan Ray Seebeck

Rozeboom brings experience from a winning environment, having been part of a Rams team that captured Super Bowl LVI, giving him valuable exposure to high-level competition and playoff football. The fact that he’s started a lot over the last two seasons is a bonus, and having familiarity going against the NFC South after plying in Carolina also adds a lot of value.

Bucs’ 2026 ILB Outlook

This is the second inside linebacker that the Bucs have signed in free agency after inking Alex Anzalone earlier on. Tampa Bay has also added a lot of former teammates reuniting, too. Rozeboom was teammates with defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson with the Rams and also last season with the Panthers, while Anzalone and Al-Quadin Muhammad team up for a third time after playing together on the Saints and Lions.

For the Bucs, Rozeboom profiles as a depth inside linebacker with starting experience upside, as well as a special teams player if needed. His background suggests he’s the type of player who can compete for snaps, provide insurance at the position, and add reliability in kick coverage units.

Bucs ILB Christian Rozeboom – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Bob Donnan

Currently, the Bucs have Anzalone slotted in as one starting inside linebacker with the other spot open. SirVocea Dennis is not guaranteed to start and will certainly compete with Rozeboom for the opportunity. Nick Jackson is likely fighting to stay on the roster, but can be put in the mix.

It also doesn’t stop the Bucs from drafting an inside linebacker, and they should be encouraged to do so. They still need younger players at the position, so finding a linebacker in the first or second round having them start early would be important.

Bucs ILB Lavonte David – Photo by: IMAGN Images – Nathan Ray Seebeck

The elephant in the room of course is what does this mean for the legend Lavonte David? He’s yet to decide whether or not he is going to play in 2026, but did indicate that he’d only play for the Bucs. General manager Jason Licht also said the door is always open for David, but would he want to come back if he’s not in a starting role?

Tampa Bay has to prepare its team if David does retire. The Bucs can’t just wait around for his decision. Maybe David is okay in a role where he’s not on the field for 100% of the defensive snaps. But at some point he has to decide what’s best for him – as do the Buccaneers.